Drivers Not Slowing Down, Pulling Over for Emergency Vehicles: CAA

An RCMP clocks the speed of a motorist on Highway 1 west Winnipeg as a tow truck works on the roadside. (CAA MANITOBA)

WINNIPEG — Manitoba drivers aren’t getting the message when it comes to slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles.

CAA Manitoba and RCMP staged a scene Wednesday on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Winnipeg near St. Francois Xavier. A total of 316 vehicles were observed zooming past a tow truck pulled over with its beacons on preparing to assist a stalled vehicle.

“Tow trucks drivers, like other emergency workers, deserve a safe space to work,” said Mike Mager, president and CEO of CAA Manitoba. “We’ve lobbied for this legislation for six years, but it means nothing if drivers aren’t following the letter of the law.”

The fine for not slowing down and moving over for an emergency vehicle is $300 and two demerits, but no tickets were handed out during the assessment.

Legislation in place requires to slow down to 40 km/h when the posted speed limit is less than 79 km/h, and down to 60 km/h when the posted speed limit is 80 km/h or higher while moving to a traffic lane farthest from the emergency vehicle whenever and wherever possible.

Highlights from the assessment include:

Nearly 11% of drivers observed did not move over at all

Four out of five drivers observed did move over to the next lane, but of those, only 1% slowed down to 60 km/h

One motorcycle passing the scene was not moved over and travelling 123 km/h

One semi failing to slow down and move over was doing 107 km/h

The average speed of those who did move over but did not slow down was 101 km/h